The Way Things Change

Chapter 33

*Niall's POV*

"Niall, I can't do this!"

Kate looked terrified. She was shaking and her face was as white as a sheet. I took her hand and squeezed it.

"Of course you can. This is your home and they are your friends, nothing to be scared about!" I reassured her.

We were standing in front of the gates to our house. We had been here for a while.

"But I-I... I can't face him!"

I turned her towards me, so we were standing face to face. I looked her dead in the eyes.

"He's your friend too. You can't avoid him all the time. And I'm not pressuring you to talk to him, but sooner or later you have to face him, whether you like it or not."

She had been so confident this morning, knowing that she had to talk to Harry, but the closer we got to home, the more scared and jittery she became. I could see she was miserable.

"I'll go talk to him first, okay? You don't have to face him straight away. Or do you want me to tell him? Then you don't have to."

Her eyes grew wider in horror. She did not like that idea at all. I already thought so.

"You wouldn't do that! Please Niall, promise me you won't tell!"

"I promise. But it means you have to. And sooner rather than later. We all know something's up and I really think it would be best if it was over before we continue our tour next week."

"I guess you're right" she sighed, surrendering. "Why do you always have to be right?"

"I'm just that smart" I laughed. "And come on, we don't want to let them wait any longer.

***

"Niall, can I talk to you for a second?"

We had barely made it through the door before Harry came rushing towards us. He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me into the library, before I got the chance to answer.

"Hey, take it easy. What's up Harry? Are you sick? You look a bit pale."

"I'm not sick! I'm fine" he snapped. I knew he was lying. He was not fine at all. He was frustrated. I knew that, because he was running his hands through his hair. He always did that when he was frustrated.

"It's just... How was your trip?" he asked with a sigh. He was dodging what he really wanted to say.

"If you're only going to ask me that, why did you have to drag me to another room? I was going to tell everybody anyway. No, I don't believe that's what you wanted to talk about. Look Harry" I wasn't going to let him waste my time, I needed to talk to him also. "I've known you long enough to know when something's up. So please, just tell me!"

"Fine." He grunted. "But this is not going to be easy for me. And you'll probably hate me..." his mind wandered and he stopped talking.

"Harry, just tell me!" I said harshly, getting him back to reality.

"Look, I know this sounds stupid. But I think... Just maybe... But I think I might like Kate. You know... Like like her." He blushed embarrassed. A smile was playing on my lips. Soon I was grinning like an idiot. This was perfect.

"Stop looking at me like that!" Harry snapped once more. "Please help me instead. I don't know what to do..." he sighed again and looked at his feet. His shoulders dropped and he looked vulnerable.

"If I should help you, you have to give me more than that. Since when have you developed feeling for her?" I thought I knew the answer already, but I wanted him to tell me.